Tamworth tennis teen set for US adventure

By
Geoff Newling

CIARAN Lavers’ dream of playing tennis in the USA is about to come true.

CIARAN Lavers’ dream of playing tennis in the USA is about to come true.

After the Year 12 Tamworth student completes his HSC at Farrer Memorial Agricultural High School later this year, he will head off to Tulsa’s Oral Roberts University (in Oklahoma) to start a degree in business finance.

“It’s been my dream,” the 17-year-old tennis player said yesterday.

Ciaran Lavers (left) is heading to the US and a tennis scholarship in Tulsa. West Tamworth Tennis Club president John Ball (middle) and coach Mitch Power wish him well. Photo: Gareth Gardner 040914GGA01

While majoring in business finance, he also has a minor in health and physical fitness.

Which he will fit in with his tennis scholarship, playing for the Oklahoma university in the Southland Conference.

“I leave in January,” the teenage tennis star said.

“We’ll see how it all goes.

“I’ll finish my degree and then see how I go on the tour.

“If that doesn’t work I can come back home and get a job.”

Maybe coaching at West Tamworth Tennis Club, the club president John Ball said.

He’s been watching the teenager grow and develop into a talented tennis player as well as an impressive young man.

“He’s been around this place since he was knee high to a grasshopper,”Ball said at the Belmore Park courts.

“He started playing here very young and has always look like he’d go places.

“He’s been one of the best players in his age groups around the region for a number of years and is one of those kids where nothing fazes them – he’s got a fantastic attitude.

“He’s worked hard too.

“He’s done well to come back from a knee injury last year.

“He’s also been a fantastic role model for the young kids here too.

“He’s been assisting Mitch (Power) coaching the kids.”

Power has been Lavers’ coach for three years.

“This is a pretty good achievement,” Power said.

“I can’t think of anyone else who has done it.

“He’s got this opportunity to have a crack.

“And it’s a great way to do it.

“Get a degree and a career as well.

“The sky is the limit for him.

“I wish it had been around when I was younger, I’d have jumped at it.”

Lavers will go over to the US ranked 186 in Australia.

He’s been in good form too, winning two ITF tournaments in Melbourne and Gosford of late.

“I’ve always dreamed about it since I started playing at Tamworth South,” he said of his primary school.

That was at age seven.

Ball reckons a lot of seven-year-olds in Tamworth have been enthused by Lavers’ recent achievements and now his scholarship and imminent move to Tulsa.

“He’s showing them all this is what you can achieve if you work hard,” Ball added.